Mike Quigley urges 'frail' Biden to be 'pragmatic' about his candidacy as Democratic Party's situation gets 'worse'

WASHINTON, DC: Democrat Mike Quigley, representing Illinois, defended his call for President Joe Biden to drop out of the 2024 race.

He argued it is not about loyalty but being "pragmatic" to ensure there is a "very strong" candidate at the top of the Democratic ticket.

Quigley expressed his concerns in an interview with CNN, stating that Biden's recent public appearances and interview with ABC News’s George Stephanopoulos did not change his mind.

Rep Mike Quigley says Joe Biden's recent appearances were 'concerning'

Mike Quigley’s comments come as a growing number of House Democrats urge Joe Biden to reconsider his reelection bid, citing concerns over his performance and appearance.

Quigley publicly urged Biden to exit the race last Friday and reiterated his call on Monday, July 8.

"My mind doesn’t need changing, it really doesn’t matter. I think it’s the voters and as you see, the polling is going in the opposite direction, and that’s what’s particularly concerning," the Democrat representative said in the interview. 

"I can frankly see why. I don’t think it was a great interview. There were several things besides his very appearance that were concerning about what he said and how he said it," he added according to Fox News. 

"So I think we have to be honest with ourselves: the situation is not getting better. Frankly, it’s getting worse."

Quigley said perceptions are crucial during campaigns, saying, "Perceptions are absolutely ruling in things like this in a campaign. He looks very frail. His voice is very soft, it's not robust."

Mike Quigley says Joe Biden needs to be 'pragmatic' regarding his reelection

Mike Quigley urged Joe Biden to consider the impact his staying in the race would have on down-ballot races.

"What I would stress to the president is that, ‘This isn’t just about you. It's not about loyalty. It's about being pragmatic.' We have to be honest with ourselves," he said. 

"It’s not just the White House at stake and all of these seats are going to be very, very closely contested and only a handful of seats control both houses," he added.

"Every vote counts, so the top of the ticket is essential that it be very strong,” he added.

Amid the growing Biden meanwhile again rejected calls to drop out of the race in a letter to congressional Democrats on Monday, urging them to unite behind his candidacy.

“The question of how to move forward has been well-aired for over a week now. And it’s time for it to end,” Biden wrote. “Any weakening of resolve or lack of clarity about the task ahead only helps Trump and hurts us. It is time to come together.”

Internet supports Mike Quigley by saying Joe Biden is in 'denial' of reality 

Netizens' reactions to Mike Quigley's calls urging Joe Biden to think pragmatically have been mixed.

One user wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "This has been obvious for two years at least. They’ve just seeing the specter of him losing."

Another added, "And it is going to get a lot worse fast. Speaking from experience with mother, Biden is in the final stage of denial and own reality. After that he goes into the last stage where speech stops and mobility cease."

A third user expressed frustration with the Democratic strategy, writing, "If democrats had been smart they would never run him for a second term to start with."

"I say tuff s**t. The democrats shouldn't have played games. To progress their agenda. I guess Joe is obsolete and used up. Now Democrats want to throw him away," remarked another.

"I love seeing Biden & the Dems flailing around destroying themselves!!!" wrote another as the intra-party drama continued. 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.